Communication Studies: New Media and Society in Europe

Focus on new media and society in Europe

The Master of Communication Studies is a one-year (60 ECTS) academic master with a focus on New Media and Society in Europe. This unique English language programme focuses on the rapidly changing field of media and communication in a European context. The programme takes an original interdisciplinary approach and allows students to concentrate on business, policy and/or user aspects of new media.

The programme consists of two semesters. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on three specific fields: business and markets, policy and governance, user aspects of new media and society in Europe. Instead of choosing from the optional courses, students can decide to do an internship.

This Master offers

• A high-level and international oriented education by leading scholars in the field of information and communication technologies, new media and European media
• An integrated programme and interdisciplinary approach to new media and society in Europe
• Teaching in small groups using interactive teaching methods, stimulating individual participation
• A wide variety of specialised courses focusing on new media concepts
• Excellent guidance in writing your master thesis by leading scholars in a variety of subject fields
• The possibility of writing your thesis in one of the following four languages: English, Dutch, French or German (the last three only on approval)
• Close collaboration with researchers from the centre for Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT), and the Institute for European Studies
• The possibility of meeting professionals of the research field on conferences, workshops and other academic events

Media economics, European media markets and mechanisms

Digitisation of media, the emergence of the Internet and the mobile revolution have fundamentally altered the media industry. Formerly separate markets are merging. Old and new players are forging new business models. This master provides you with an in depth understanding of media economics, European media markets and mechanisms.

European policy and policy-making in the field of media

The European Union plays a crucial role in media and communication policies. It has tried to foster a single European market in media and services. Through several large programmes it has stimulated innovation and the emergence of a European Information Society. The European Commission’s current Digital Agenda for Europesets the framework for the coming years. In this master programme, you will gain an understanding of European policy and policy-making in the field of media, innovation, and the Internet.

Interdisciplinary user research in the field of new media

People as users of new media and communication technologies are central stakeholders in the European information society. The interplay between changes in new media and in the adoption of these new media in everyday life is important to understand social change in Europe. This master provides you with a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary user research in the field of new media.

Work in the emerging European communication space

This MSc programme will equip you with the necessary analytical skills and subject-specific knowledge to work in the emerging European communication space. Being taught in the capital of Europe, it will acquaint you with the European institutions and media players. For that purpose, the programme schedules a yearly lecture series with representatives of European industry and institutions, organizes site visits and offers the possibility of an internship.

Strong focus on current trends

The Master has a strong focus on current trends and is supported by state of the art research from two partnering research institutes of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel: the centre for Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT) and the Institute for European Studies (IES).

The programme consists of two semesters and is completed in one academic year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on three specific fields: business and markets, policy and governance, user aspects of new media and society in Europe. Instead of choosing from the optional courses, students can decide to do an internship.

• Module I Master Thesis
• Course TitleTaught bySemesterCredits (ECTS)Master Thesis in Communication StudiesLuciano MORGANTI1st and 2nd semester18Module II Compulsory coursesFrom the courses listed below, students must obtain 24 ECTS credits.Course TitleTaught bySemesterCredits (ECTS)Advanced Methods for Communication StudiesWendy VAN DEN BROECK1st semester6Lecture Series on European Information SocietyLuciano MORGANTI2nd semester6EU Media and Communication PolicyCaroline PAUWELS2nd semester6Advanced Theoretical Debates: New Media and SocietyYoni VAN DEN EEDE1st semester6
• Module III elective courses

From the courses listed below, students must obtain 18 ECTS credits.Course TitleTaught bySemesterCredits (ECTS)Traineeship in Communication StudiesJan LOISEN1st and 2nd semester12European Innovation PolicyJEAN-CLAUDE BURGELMAN1st semester6Business and Consumer EthicsKarl VERSTRYNGE2nd semester6Users and Innovation in New MediaIke PICONE2nd semester6Critical Issues in Media EconomicsPieter BALLON1st semester6European Media and Communication MarketsKaren DONDERS2nd semester6Internet Censorship, Control and GovernanceLuciano MORGANTI1st semester6Current Case Studies: Global and Regional GovernanceLuk VAN LANGENHOVE2nd semester6Media, Culture and Globalisation TheoriesJan LOISEN2nd semester6Comparative Communication ResearchDorien BAELDEN1st semester6

Audience

• Are you fascinated by current changes in media?
• Are you intrigued by the role of new media and the Internet in society?
• Are you interested in the European integration process and its relation to media?
• Do you want to gain insight into the mechanisms of European communication markets?
• Do you want to learn about user preferences and practices?
• Do you want to understand Europe's innovation and communication policy and its relation to member state policies?
• Do you want to be able to situate European media evolutions in the global context?
• Do you want to meet and discuss with representatives of European institutions and companies working in communication?
• Do you want to study in the heart of Europe, in the multicultural and multilingual city of Brussels ?
• Do you want to meet fellow students from different cultures and backgrounds?
• Do you want to do an internship in an European media company and gain first working experiences in the quickly changing field of information and communication?

Then the Master of Communication Studies (new media and society in Europe) is right up your alley.

Please note: An a cademic BA or MA degree is required to apply.An Admission Board will evaluate the applications on an individual basis. The Board can decide to oblige the applicant to complete an individual preparatory programme of up to 24 ECTS for students with an Academic BA in the Human and Social Sciences or up to 30 ECTS for students with an Academic BA in another discipline. This preparatory programme can be followed while starting the Master.Proof of English proficiency is compulsory and can be documented by one of the following certificates (provided by the institution):A document attesting that English is the language of instruction for several courses followed (at least 15 ECTS);A document attesting that at least 1 year of secondary education has been completed in English;A diploma of primary education stating that English was the language of instruction;A language test: TOEFL (min. 550 paper-based, 213 computerbased, 80 internet-based), IELTS (min. academic module 6.5), Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (Grade B) of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (Grade C) or TOEIC (min. 860). . English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80

Scholarships of the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC)

BTC is the Belgian development cooperation agency that supports developing countries in their fight against poverty. Each year BTC grants some 1.000 scholarships in Belgium across diverse fields of training, including Master programmes to students from its priority countries.

Accreditation

VUB is registered with the Flemish government of Belgium as an institution of higher education.

The VUB programmes are accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO, Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatie Organisatie). This official organisation was established by an international treaty between the Flemish and the Dutch governments to ensure the quality of higher education in both the Netherlands and Flanders.